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In front was the abbess, surrounded by the most aged of the

sisterhood; behind these the others, raised promiscuously on

tiptoe, and farther back the lay sisters, standing on benches and

overlooking the scene; whilst here and there were seen, peeping

between the cowls, some youthful faces, which Gertrude recognised

as those of her school companions. As she stood fronting the

abbess, the latter demanded, with grave solemnity, "What she

desired to have in this place, where nothing could be denied

her?"